SERIE A MATCH REPORT

Udinese tumbled to a 1-0 defeat in Siena thanks to MattiaDestro’s strike, but both sides were denied by the woodwork.

The Friulani have been running out of steam recently, but were still in the running for the third Champions League berth, especially after Lazio’s defeat to Parma last night. Antonio Floro Flores and Joel Ekstrand sat out bans, joining the injured MehdiBenatia, DamianoFerronetti, Emmanuel Badu, Mauricio Isla, DusanBasta and CristianBattocchio.

Siena were not quite mathematically safe from relegation yet and top scorer EmanueleCalaio will be out for the rest of the season after fracturing his shin. He joined Francesco Bolzoni and Angelo on the treatment table.

MattiaDestro had the first chance with an angled drive across the face of goal, while Marcelo Larrondo failed to make the most of a KwadwoAsamoah defensive error. Antonio Di Natale sprung the offside trap, but his finish was too weak to trouble GianlucaPegolo.

Destro was unlucky not to open the scoring on 14 minutes, as his right-foot snapshot cracked against the upright with SamirHandanovic beaten.

Siena had the better of the early play and on 24 minutes had a double chance. First Giorgi fired straight at Handanovic from a Larrondo through ball, then the move continued and Alessandro Gazzi nodded over from point-blank range.

Udinese were struggling badly, so changed to a 3-4-1-2 system with GianpieroPinzi behind the strikers. It seemed to work, as after the restart Di Natale also hit the woodwork with a header on to the upright from Pablo Armero’s cross.

The visitors had penalty appeals for a MatteoContini shove on Pinzi, but the referee waved play on. Just as Udinese were taking control, Siena opened the scoring.

It was a chaotic move, as Gazzi accidentally found himself in the path of a wayward Franco Brienza shot and redirected it into the six-yard box for Destro to tap in.

Udinese fought back and Di Natale’s snapshot from seven yards was parried by an outstretched Pegolo foot at the near stick. Another Di Natale attempt, this time a volley, was over the bar.

It was all the Friulani in the final stages, as Contini again appeared to push Gabriel Torje in the box, but the referee waved play on.

Di Natale should’ve scored from an Armero cross, but incredibly fired straight at the goalkeeper from point-blank range. Pegolo was again crucial to deny Di Natale, this time set up by a defensive error.

Siena just couldn’t finish off the game, as Brienza on the counter-attack fired straight at the goalkeeper in a one-on-one and Vergassola turned the follow-up wide. Even goalkeeper Handanovic went forward for the final stages, but could not claw back a point.